Granddaughter.
From the very beginning, Molly was little more than a houseplant for her mother, Sharon present but barely acknowledged. Whether Molly was there or not, made no real difference. Sharon, forever arguing with Mollys father, and after he went back to his proper wife, lost the little plot she had.
So hes left then? Was never planning to leave his old housemaid, was he? Drove me absolutely up the wall! Lied to me and now hes dumped me with this brat? Ill chuck her out the window, or leave her at the station with the drunks! she shrieked down the phone.
Molly covered her ears and cried softly. The absence of her mothers affection soaked through her like rain.
I dont give a toss what you do with her. Frankly, I doubt shes even mine. Goodbye! replied Raymond, her father, over the line.
Sharon, wild-eyed, crammed Mollys little dresses into a bag, chucked in the documents, scooped up five-year-old Molly, and bundled her into a cab.
Ill show him! And the lot of them! she fumed, barking the address at the taxi driver.
She was off to dump Molly on Raymonds mother, Mrs. Betty Evans, who lived outside the city.
The taxi driver took an instant dislike to this haughty young woman, especially with the way she snapped at the timid child.
Mum, I need the loo, Molly whispered, expecting thunder to descend.
As it always did. Sharon barked so viciously the taxi drivers hands itched to give her a talking-to.
He had a granddaughter about Mollys age. His daughter-in-law wouldnt even raise her voice, let alone shout!
Hold it! You can go at your posh grans house.
Sharon turned away, fuming nostrils pressed to the window.
Oi, ease off, love. Otherwise I could chuck you out take the girl to social services.
Oh do shut up! Defender of little girls, are we? Watch your mouth or Ill go to the police and say you leered at my daughter. Wholl they believe? Some cabbie or a teary-eyed, desperate mother? Shes mine Ill raise her how I like, thank you very much. Now zip it.
The driver clenched his teeth. Not worth the headache, though his heart ached for the child.
Ninety minutes later, they arrived.
Wait here, Ill be quick! Sharon huffed, only to hear the taxi roar off.
You can walk, you snake! he shouted back.
Sharon spat in annoyance. What a twit! She yanked Molly by the arm and stalked into Bettys garden, kicking open the gate.
Here! Take your precious granddaughter do what you want with her. Your darling son said its fine. I want nothing to do with her! she growled, and with one clack of her heels, stormed out.
Betty looked lost as she watched her go.
Mum! Mummy, dont go! Molly wept bitterly, smudging dirt and tears across her little face.
She tore after her mother, who was making a dramatic exit.
Oh, get off! Go to your gran. Live with her now! Sharon barked, tugging Mollys fingers from her skirt.
A few nosey neighbours peered out over their fences. Betty, clutching her chest, chased after the screaming child.
Come on, sweetheart. Come. My darling berry, she whispered as tears tracked down her wrinkled cheeks, realising she didnt even know the little girl.
Raymond had never bothered to mention his lovechild.
I wont hurt you, darling. Fancy some pancakes? Ive got some cream, too, Betty murmured, leading Molly inside.
From the gate, Betty watched Sharon hitchhike a lift, leaving nothing but a cloud of dust behind her.
They never heard from her again. Betty, however, took Molly in as a blessing almost heaven-sent. She had not a flicker of doubt that Molly was truly hers, for she had her fathers eyes. Raymonds visits were so rare, Betty might have soon forgotten what her son looked like.
Ill raise you, Molly. Ill do my best, give you all I can, for as long as I have breath.
And so, Betty did. With love and care. She sent Molly off to her first day of school, and the years zipped by at breakneck speed.
Now Molly was in her final year. Soon, the big finish. Shed blossomed into a proper beauty: clever, gentle, and as bright as a button. She dreamt of medical school, but for now, only college seemed possible.
Its a shame Dad wont acknowledge me, Molly sighed, hugging Betty as they sat watching the sunset from the patio steps, their favourite evening ritual.
Betty, her hands trembling, stroked Mollys silky hair. What could she say? Raymond had flatly refused to be any part of Mollys upbringing. Hed pieced things back together with his first wife, doted on their son, and looked down his nose at Molly, never missing a chance to call her a waif.
Youre the waif! Betty finally snapped at him once. You only ever show up on pension day, hands out for cash. You and your wife both work, and yet you still nickel and dime your old mum. Go on, Raymond, get out and dont come back. Better off without you, honestly.
Oh, thats how it is, is it? Fine! If you pop your clogs, I wont even come to your funeral! Raymond roared, bundling his precious boy, Adam, into the car and speeding away, shooting Molly a hateful glare. True to his word, he never returned.
Let the Lord judge him, Molly, Betty said, standing up. Come on, lets have some tea and get some sleep. Youll get your diploma tomorrow!
Summer flew by in a haze of garden chores. When the time came to see Molly off to college, Betty marshalled the help of Victor from next door, his battered Volvo loaded to the roof.
Wont manage on our own, well need Victors wheels. Hell take us to your halls, Betty said, hurrying almost as much as Molly. She had her own reasons her health wasnt what it was, and she needed to sort out some business whilst she still could.
Outside the student halls, Molly clung to Betty.
Youre my treasure just study hard, thats what matters. In this world, love, youll only ever have yourself to rely on in the end. Im an old biddy, not much sand left in my hourglass
Molly blinked away the tears.
Oh please, Gran! Youre not old, youre simply a woman in her prime!
Betty grinned and, after a long squeeze, clambered into Victors car, heading off to the solicitors office. With her affairs settled, she headed back to her little village, peace in her heart.
Molly visited every weekend, worried sick about Bettys health, putting her nose in her books, determined to become a doctor one day. If anyone could add years to her grans life, it was Molly.
Time passed; Mollys trips to visit were less frequent. Shed fallen for Tom, a fellow student. He was a good sort, with his head screwed on, also aiming for university.
Betty was only too pleased for her granddaughter. At twenty, diploma in hand, Molly and Tom married. At their modest wedding in a budget café, Betty was the sole guest on Mollys side.
Youve not just been my dearest gran. Youve been mum and dad all in one. All these years, youve given me warmth and love. You cared, you worried, you clothed me, you fed me. You gave me a home, a real home. I love you, Gran. Thank you for everything! Molly said, voice wobbling as her eyes welled.
She knelt in front of her gran and hugged her tightly; she couldnt imagine life without Betty.
The guests were misty-eyed.
Get up, Molly, honestly Betty mumbled, overwhelmed with pride.
Whats embarrassing about giving gran a hug? Tom piped up, plopping Betty between them. Youre officially head of the family now, Betty! Welcome to the clan! he said with a sweep of his hand, gesturing at his own boisterous lot.
All night, there were toasts to the happy couple, and to Betty, whod raised such a gem.
Not long after, Betty fell ill, as if having finished her duty. Molly and Tom took turns caring for her, dashing between college lectures and Bettys village home.
One day, Betty took Mollys hand, her grip surprisingly strong.
When I go, the vultures my son and his wife will come sniffing around. Dont let them push you about. Ive signed everything to you years ago. The paperworks at the solicitors, all above board.
Gran
No arguments! Youve had no proper parents, just me I did my best. And I want to leave this world knowing youll always have a roof over your head. Sell the house with Tom when youre ready, and buy a flat in town.
Molly wept, unable to speak past the lump in her throat.
After that, Betty hung on another year and a half, passing quietly in her sleep.
As predicted, just six weeks on, Raymond rolled up with his entourage.
The house. Out. Now! barked Raymond. While my mum was alive, you could stay. Shes gone, so clear off.
Molly froze, staring at his sour face, at his wife whom shed never met, and at her half-brother, Adam, who gnawed gum, casing the cottage for anything of value. He was already plotting how to cash in for a set of wheels perhaps not a flash one, but at least hed stop borrowing his dads to impress the girls.
Tom came in with a bag of groceries and fixed the uninvited guests with a cold stare.
And whos this? Your new fancy man, is he? Raymond roared.
Tom walked past, set the bag on the table, and looked Raymond up and down.
Im her husband. Who are you, exactly? Dont believe weve met.
Raymonds face flushed a thrilling shade of beetroot.
Get out, both of you! he exploded, jabbing at the door.
Sorry, but who do you think youre talking to? Molly owns this place. Shall I fetch the deed? Tom said, the corners of his mouth twitching.
Wh-what deed? Raymond spluttered.
Ray shes tricked your mother! Get a lawyer, now! Raymonds wife shrieked, tugging at his sleeve.
Ill fight you! Ill prove youre not my daughter, not my mothers granddaughter! Raymond thundered.
Start packing, tramp. Well make sure you arent living here much longer, sneered Adam, glowering at the prospect of missing out on his car money.
They left, leaving only the echoes of unpleasantness behind. Molly slumped to the floor in tears. Why? What had she ever done to them? Her father had never even brought her a boiled sweet as a child, and now he wanted to take even her home.
Do they really live so poorly, or have nowhere else to go? Tom, this is the only thing Gran left me! Molly sobbed.
Tom gently pulled her up and hugged her.
Well sell up straight away. Otherwise, theyll hound you to the grave. Dont argue remember what Betty always said: when the time comes, sell and move to the city.
I just didnt think wed be moving on quite this soon. Its my whole childhood in this house.
The cottage sold in a heartbeat. Some well-heeled buyers, always wanting a country estate, snapped it up for the asking price.
The house was a proper pile, fruit trees everywhere, set back from the road, windows looking out over a pine wood, and a grapevine-tangled summer house in the far corner. The new owners were chuffed to bits.
Molly and Tom bought a small but homely flat in the city centre. Soon, they were expecting their first baby, a child both wanted and loved dearly.
At night, as she drifted off, Molly would whisper in her heart, Thank you, Gran, you gave me my life.One starry evening, as rain pattered against the windowpanes of their city flat, Molly wandered to the little wooden box shed rescued from Grans old nightstand. She sat cross-legged on the faded rug, Tom humming in the next room, and opened the lid.
Inside, among pale photographs and a pressed sprig of lavender, was a note in Bettys looping hand:
My darling Molly,
If you find this, know I am never far from you. You are my joy and pride, a better future for our family. When you are lonely or afraid, remember: you werent left behind, you were chosen, loved, and fought for. Love has roots even deeper than blood, and it grows boldest in rocky soil.
Plant hope wherever you go. You’ll see it bloom, in ways you can’t yet imagine.
Always yours, Gran.
Molly pressed the letter to her heart, tears warm on her cheeks, and laughed softly. In the silence, she felt something shift insidea quiet, certain peace.
Months later, she swaddled her newborn daughter beneath a knit blanket Betty had made, whispering, Youll always have someone, little berry, just as I did.
That spring, Molly planted a grapevine in a pot on her tiny balcony. It curled eagerly toward the sun.
And every time she looked at it, she remembered: love, once given, never diesit puts down roots for generations to come.
